The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) says Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews will be closing the Interstate 55 Mississippi River bridge to continue construction on the I-55 and Crump interchange.
The joint project will replace the 75-year-old I-55 Mississippi River bridge. The current bridge serves more than 64,000 cars and trucks per day, and TDOT said the new bridge design will be able to carry even more vehicles per day. ARDOT is pushing for at least six lanes.
TDOT said a new bridge would lower maintenance costs, meet modern seismic codes, reduce crashes, and more.
For the past month, environmental studies have been done to learn more about the environmental impacts this project could have.
According to a news release, the upcoming closures will take place from 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, through 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, at the following locations:
- I-55 southbound will be closed at Bridgeport Road in Arkansas.
- I-55 northbound will be closed at South Parkway in Tennessee.
ARDOT says Memphis traffic will be allowed to continue to the McLemore exit:
- The I-55 southbound ramp will be closed.
- Crump Boulevard westbound will be closed.
ARDOT says weather permitting, crews will perform hydrodemolition on the bridge deck and provide a new polymer concrete overlay.
Drivers are urged to use caution while in the area.
Drivers are urged to use caution while in the area.
Source: KATV.com, Kait8.com
